Ralph Barbieri interview with Dennis O’Donnell (transcript)

Two Sundays ago, on April 22, Ralph Barbieri went on CBS 5 San Francisco (KPIX) with sports anchor Dennis O’Donnell. O’Donnell talked with the Hawaiian shirt-wearing Razor for about nine minutes, but I didn’t hear about the interview until the next morning. I emailed O’Donnell and others at CBS to see if I could access to the video because it wasn’t available on the site, and three days later they got back to me with this link to the interview.

Many of you may have seen this video, but for those who haven’t you can either watch it or read the interview, which I transcribed in its entirety below. In transcribing the conversation I put some of the more interesting points throughout the first 7 minutes or so in bold. Near the end, where O’Donnell pressed Barbieri on whether he wants to work at 95.7 FM, is where things really got interesting.

O’Donnell: Ralph after working for 15 years with Tom Tolbert, what was going through your mind when you heard Tom say those words?

Barbieri: That was the week I was gone. You were in Hawaii, enjoying yourself. If you were here you could help me out.

O’Donnell: You’re celebrating with the shirt, thank you very much.

Barbieri: I was shocked. I didn’t hear it live, but so many people told me about it so I finally got it on the internet. I wish I could have seen him at the time, because I’ve not seen Tom be anything close to that emotional, ever. Italians, we cry all the time. Tom is, whatever, he doesn’t even know, I think Germanic or English or something like that. Not a real emotional person. I was really moved. I have not been able to listen to that whole thing without crying myself.

O’Donnell: How disappointed are you about the departure from KNBR. I know part of the reason you are upset is because they didn’t give you an opportunity to say goodbye, Ralph, but that’s not without precedent. Cumulus did the same with several quality talk show hosts at KGO, but Cumulus is not alone in setting that precedent. That’s a directive of many companies in our business, and it’s unfortunate, but why do you think you should have been the exception?

Barbieri: Well, first of all, I’m more upset with getting fired because I’m 66 and I have Parkinson’s. That’s the most important thing. But I’m also very upset at the way that it happened. Because as I said, it was about … I was in the office with Bill Bungeroth, who in my opinion, is a bully who has come here in the true Cumulus sense to … (he) talks like a military guy, ‘We’re going to get a beachhead up here, and then we’re not let ’em get any of our turf!’ And Lee Hammer, who I’m very disappointed, because Lee in my opinion has turned into a weasel where he will shake your hand, and in my opinion, stab you in the back with the other one. So these two guys, I know, have not wanted me there for a while. They obviously had been planning this for some time, because they had a nice stack of papers there, all ready. As I said, I was in the office about seven minutes, so I divided it up to four years a minute. I know that you’re right, this has been done. But for 28 years you’d just think human nature would kick in or some kind of common sense would kick in. I mean it’s ‘give her your card key when you’re gone, you’re terminated, this is it, this is the last day that you’ll be at KNBR. Look at these items, get back to us when you can get back to us,’ and that’s it. I didn’t want a parade or anything, but the HR person escorted me. Not having been fired for about 30 years or so, it was just a real bad feeling. I’m seeing Tom on the air as I walk by and I can’t even say goodbye to him.

O’Donnell: From the station’s perspective, in defense of the station, it wouldn’t be wise to allow a former employee to go on the air to air grievances against the station that employs him…

Barbieri: Of course, of course…

O’Donnell: So this is a common practice, it’s not exclusive to Cumulus.

Barbieri: They could’ve let me tape something.

O’Donnell: That’s a good point. Let me show you the quote Cumulus released. We reached out to KNBR for this broadcast and they did not respond.

(Screen shows the following statement)

“The simple fact is that Ralph refused to honor some of the most basic terms of his contract. As a result, KNBR exercised its right to terminate the contract. Ralph does not disclose that KNBR offered him a contract to continue his pay and benefits for the next six months. His response to that offer was to make disparaging statements about KNBR in the press.”

Bill Bungeroth, Cumulus

O’Donnell: First of all, that you did not honor the most basic terms of your contract. What do they mean?

Barbieri: I don’t know what they’re talking about.

O’Donnell: Did you arrive late to work?

Barbieri: They said that I was fired for being late. That was it.

O’Donnell: Okay. And the disparaging remarks, that’s probably well on the record at this point.

Barbieri: Just to mention … I don’t want to get into details of things too specifically because we’re going to be having a long haul with this. We’re definitely going to file a lawsuit. But the late thing was, at February 1st, just two months and change ago, I got a $10,000 bonus for being a good little soldier and amongst other things, being on time and doing other things, so something happened since February 1st that got them to go from giving me a bonus to firing me.

O’Donnell: I don’t want to spend too much time in the details of it, because I know there could be a pending lawsuit. Your attorney is in studio tonight.

Barbieri: Can I say just one other thing about the comment that you had up there? When he said I was offered six months contract, the contract – and anybody can read it if they want to – it’s not a contract, per se, it’s called a “letter agreement” and basically it’s a contract not to be employed, not to work there, but just to keep my mouth shut and not say anything bad about ’em. I don’t know what they’re afraid of if they’re not doing anything bad, but anyway, it’s a one-month. (For) one month it’s solid, and immediately after one month the company can rescind the contract unilaterally. Does that sound like a six-month deal to you?

O’Donnell: And you were coming off years where you were signing four years at a time, right? Essentially, that’s what your deal was.

Barbieri: Right. Or three, or two.

O’Donnell: Let me get into the basis of you being 28 years. I know you have a message for the audience that you felt bad that you weren’t able to give on KNBR radio.

Barbieri: I don’t want to get real maudlin or anything, but I just owe the audience so much. And the funny part about it, Dennis, is that not all of them loved me, you know. It was about half of them loved me and half of them hated me, but ironically when people have heard about this kind of treatment I’ve been accorded, I’ve gotten more fans than I think that I had before. One other little sidelight, during the … I could talk about the Giants parade for years. We were lucky enough to be in the parade. And here’s these, some people estimated a million people, and everywhere you go, down the intersection you can see them 20 rows back. And there was one guy, one little guy, sitting on the curb, by himself, with a little homemade sign that said, “Ralph sucks”. Can you imagine that? In the middle of the Giants parade. Yes! Alright.

O’Donnell: That’s a sign of respect.

Barbieri: But I mean seriously, I just want to thank everybody so much for listening for all these years and for all the cards and letters. I didn’t get any voicemail anymore, because they cut off my voicemail by the time I had got into the garage. Lost about 20 messages there. But it’s been so wonderful, people have found a way to get through to me one way or another. Hopefully I’ll be able to meet with some of the folks personally at some point in time, but I can’t thank people enough. I’m the only guy at KNBR or almost at any other talk station that, I didn’t want to do anything but what I was doing. I didn’t want to be on national TV, I didn’t want to be syndicated, I didn’t want to … I just wanted to be a talk show host, fortunately in my hometown of San Francisco.

—

***Here’s where it gets interesting.***

O’Donnell: We’re out of time. Would you want to work at 95.7?

Barbieri: I don’t want to work … until I get back from Europe. I’m going to Europe with Tate for the whole month of July.

O’Donnell: You’re dodging the question. Do you want to work at 95.7?

Barbieri: I’ve never even talked with anyone at 95.7.

O’Donnell: See, I’m being Ralph. You’re dodging the question, I’m going to give it to you again. You want to keep doing talk radio, right?

Barbieri: KNBR was concerned about 95.7.

O’Donnell: Are they?

Barbieri: They were and they have been, yeah. That’s one of the things that has made them a little bit crazy…

O’Donnell: Sounds like you’re negotiating a contract with them already. Hey Ralph, you’ve done a great job over the years.

Barbieri: Dennis, thank you very much for doing this for me, cause I’ll tell you the truth, there were other people I talked to who went ‘Ah, maybe we’ll do it maybe we won’t do it,’ maybe a little hot potato or something like that, but you’ve always been a standup guy and I appreciate that.

O’Donnell: It’s a touchy subject with a lot of conflict of interest but you know, like I say, longevity and 28 years in the business counts for something. So Ralph Barbieri, thanks for coming in.

Barbieri: I hope it does. Angela Alioto’s here. We’ll be having a long relationship with KNBR, and it won’t be pleasant.

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I didn’t know this was out there, thanks for sharing this with us.
GO GET EM RALPH!!!

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I had not seen or heard about this interview so thanks for posting BASG.

Well, it was classic unvarnished Ralph which is precisely why I listened to him – totally, completely and absolutely authentic.

No act, false persona or shtick unlike just about every other radio personality which I found infinitely more stimulating whether I agreed with Ralph or not.

I have not been much of a 95.7 listener but I will be if they sign Ralph.

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If you read my posts here on that whole bizz…It was like I was there as I said, Including “Turn in your key and escorted out. Even more accurate was why he was fired. They (Cumulus,Bunghole,Lee, and Dickey) hated that Ralph had cornered them on his illness-well,that’s how those scumbozzo’s looked at it- They didn’t feel a bit of compassion,just that they had been suckered for a larger contract….and they were fuming all the time Ralph thought the mess was behind him. You know-fellow posters and blog owners have posted “I’m a conspiracy guy”. And my answer then was-your too… Read more »

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Stan, I was right there with you until your comment about Tom. Anyone who listened to him on the air that day knows how difficult it seemed to be and you have NO idea what was going through his mind later on his “date” with Byrnes. What a lazy, biased and disappointing thing to say. Bad form.

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No,it was pretty accurate. Tom never as much as took a day off,never played any tapes of he and Ralph. And it was only 3 days or so later he was at ATT with what everybody thinks will be Ralph’s replacement. Maybe yes,maybe no.
Look,Ralph didn’t die I know…but other then that first day’s hour..he was fine.

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Good post BASG.
His quote of “getting fired because I’m 66 and I have Parkinson’s” is rather revealing.
Since when does being 66 and having Parkinson’s make you immune from being fired from your job? This guy is playing the sympathy card again.

After all the rude remarks and cruel comments you hurled to others, you now want a sympathic ear from us? Are you kidding?

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“Those insults” are What KNBR wanted out of him you dope. Don’t you get it?

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I didn’t know about the interview either so this was really interesting to read, thanks for transcribing it. As Ralph mentioned his listeners were divided on whether they liked or disliked him, but since his abrupt dismissal he’s gained more fans. I was one of the people who disliked him before but thought he was treated rather badly by KNBR management when he was fired, given his many years of service with the station. I also enjoyed him calling Lee Hammer a weasel, and the story about the guy at the Giants parade holding up a “Ralph sucks” sign was… Read more »

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KNBR is hard to listen to. The Razor and Mr. T was the best show to tune in to. I’m a huge SF sports fan and have a long lineage is SF but listening to Eric Burns, Fitz, Brooks, etc is really, really bad. I have a hard time with Gary too…even though I like him. Marty Lurie I can handle. Ralph was a city boy and even though he butchered modern sports knowledge and didn’t know enough about hockey listening to him piss off Sabean, wax poetically about the great days of USF and Bill Russell was awesome …especially… Read more »

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Excellent comments Spike.

Very curious to see what Ralph does going forward.

Oddly enough, I think there is a rather slim chance that KNBR takes Ralph back as a form of settlement and if there is a significant ratings dip.

You realize how much the chemistry between Tom and Ralph elevated the show since his departure.

And contrary to public opinion, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a dip in ratings going forward that they don ‘t get back.

Truth is, the most successful media personalities are often the most polarizing.

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Ralph just comes off as a whiny weasel talking crap about his former employer.

Yeah Ralph was hosed in terms of being treated not in line with how long he was there.

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And why should KNBR be rewarded for “hosing” him? They did him a favor?
I know you buy into the wealthy like Bungerhole and the Dickeys bros. care,,and its just business.
And all that would be a lie.

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They didn’t hose him. They fired him because he wasn’t doing his job and it didn’t make sense to keep him on the air.

If he was interesting and brought more listeners they would have retained him. Once a baseball player can’t do the job anymore, they cut him. That’s what happened to Ralph. End of story!

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Hell no!!! do not let people (If you can call them that) like this do these type of things and shrug it off. The way they handled this was wrong and I hope Ralph sticks it to them.

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what is “this type of thing”? Firing someone? Happens in the real world all the time. Most people suck it up and move on. It’s not like he wasn’t struggling to do his damn job.

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No shit this happens all the time fitz, I have had to Lay-Off / Fire many people in my life…Everyone needs to be handled differently, but one common thread was to always show respect.
So when i say “this type of thing” it refers to the disrespectful, unprofessional manner of the way Cumulus carried this out.

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So you’re saying that Ralph should “stick it to them” because of the “disrespectful, unprofessional manner of the way Cumulus carried this out?”

Sorry John, the legal system doesn’t work that way. It doesn’t “stick it to” employers for bad manners.

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Message to Stan:
Please start your own blog and quit cluttering this site with your predictable and redundant thoughts.

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Message to Rick the Republican: Consistent and quality are the words you are searching for.

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Thank you Rick.
The best advice I have heard all day.
Stan we appreciate your posts, but give others an opportunity to write and be heard.
End of lecture.

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At least Ralph was able to say a goodbye to his listeners on Bay Area T.V. It’s gonna be an ugly lawsuit. Names will be dragged thru the mud.

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It’s not going to be that ugly. Ralph doesn’t have much of a case and he’d be an even bigger idiot to waste a lot of money in a lost cause.

All he’s fighting for is a couple of months salary, that’s it. He’s not in line for any massive damages.

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I think THEGAME should just wade into this..they have the ex KNBR people who know they wont ever work there again (unless Cumulus sales the station,and then they are back in black) so I see no reason to ignore a dynamite ratings grabber… Even work it with advance ads…Ralph talks to Dibbs and Urban..tells all!! EVERYTHING you wanted to know about KNBR..oof.
If Jason Barrot PD,doesn’t see this ratings bonanza..

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That tribute to Ralph commercial they had on the Game was great. Classy, and at the same time a nice back hand to Cumulus and the tools running KNBR.

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except i don’t tune into sports radio to hear gossip about the other station and childish crap like that. i tune in to listen to… wait for it… SPORTS.

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More clutter from Stan.
Again, please start your own blog and quit posting to this site with your redundant thoughts.

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Your the poster boy for redundant!..just on your last two posts alone..fools and FOX news watchers everywhere..

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Hey Rick ,I’m right so often…maybe you consider that being redundant?
What have you done?

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Stan, you clutter this board just like 415 Media Board with your endless KNBR/Radnich bashing and Barbieri worship.

I’m starting to realize that you’re the only guy who hates Radnich and the only guy who likes Ralph but you post so much redundant crap that it erroneously appears you’re not alone.

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I’m not going to point-NEVER!- out the obvious that its redundant to answer redundant posts about being redundant.
Ah,crap.

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I come here jsut to read Stan the man. If you don’t like his style, you can ignore him or get off your high horse.

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Thanks JS…We might be outnumbered..but the students always out number the Knowing teachers..

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Nothing new for me Simon,I was born that way…and what a view it gave me.

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Who or whom do you actually like on KNBR or 95.7?

I find that Radnich is actually intelligent, as is Damon Bruce.

Many of the others come off as canned sports talk guys, with predictable opinions on all topics.

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Great question Martina..I meant to answer sooner… I think the RiseGuys have the KNBR morning crew down to second best in the two team race. NOt a huge lead..but that KNBR beat the Giants drum as wholesome bread gets boring. Other then attacking Cain (because he agreed to do a THEGAME..weekly spot) its all Krukeaid. After that Raddy still has gotten Lund and Urban beat..unless its Lund and Papa..just like that,I switch. But Greg is always going to be part time Martina…ya think a Ralph and Lund with Papa part time would make a good show? I do.. And also-Lund… Read more »

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I liked Fitz when he was by himself on 1050 back in 2002-3 era. I like Byrnes as well. Everyone is crap. KNBR is too Giants-centric but for good reason. But I’m an A’s fan and Raiders fan. And thankgoodness Ralph is gone because his hate for Al Davis was getting tiredsome to the point where he couldn’t come up with anything new. I like them all on 95.7 The Game. Wish they had more Rick Tittle though because he grew up an A’s and Raider fan and is passionate about both teams. I am glad that The Game tries… Read more »

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I enjoyed Ralph on my drive time out of the City.

Ralph has to know that he was lucky to have had as long a run at KNBR as he did. The way he was treated at the end was shabby, however it is, unfortunately, the way it is in our corporate employment world today.

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Except for the part where the Giants signed a 7 year contract with KNBR just recently.

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I just don’t see why any station would want to hire Ralph at this point. Ralph works great with a partner and I just don’t anyone being a partner except for Mr. T.

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My prayers were finally answered.
Good riddance Barbieri. You were the worst – for many years.
And I’ve been on the other side of this and there’s no easy way to let someone go. Best to keep it as short as possible. No justification is required. It is respecting someone to suppose they have the intelligence to understand that.

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Man,that Ted Nugent is a nut. Lispy animal killer overcompensating. He must have a big SUV to go with his small….

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btw.Nugent used to tell with glee in the 70’s how he messed his own pants..to get out of the draft,so as to not serve his country.
Now,he never brings that up as he’s the pro war,and hard core hunter. I was watching that nut job on the news as I was typing this morning..and reminded that when I looked at BASG followers a couple were his fans. I will cut them some slack and just say -they like the rocker Nuge of old..and not this right wing kook of today.

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I have a very good and thoughtful answer to the Repubs and young demographics…later. You’ll just have to check back.

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Dennis O’Donnell is a class act. So cool that he had Ralph on.

I could see Ralph write a newspaper sports column or CSN blog, and I could see him on that Comcast sports show once a week talking 49ers / Giants / ( Go ) Sharks / Warriors

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Hmm.how do you explain no son of a Republican senator or congressman served in the Vietnam or Desert War?..Cheney..draft dodger, all the way down the line of the Bush admin…all hawks who took deferments.
Funny.that all the older local sports hosts how are conservatives and love the military and all that? None served. Raddy didn’t volunteer,Marty Lurie.. Lee Hammer,Bill Bungerhole…Lew Dickey…none enlisted.
Thats your tie to this topic…
Oh,and of course Ted..Mr.Brave,crapped his pants in front of men who DIDN’T (and went to war) to get out of Vietnam. Did I mention that?

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I could see Ralph doing something like that also Slam, At his age and condition I don’t think he would ever want to do the Daily Radio gig again…A Comcast gig would be cool.

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No Simon, I want Ralph to stick it to them for not having a human side, SCREW!!! the anal legal system you speak of…This whole thing could have been handled with a little more class. Like Ralph or not, his show was an institution in the Bay Area.
Sometimes you have to look at things a little different than “the legal system doesn’t work that way” We need to look at things for what they really are…Real simple right or wrong, and this was wrong.

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John, that’s all very touching but since you don’t want him to use the legal system, how exactly should Ralph stick it to them? As others have pointed out here, companies tend to be pretty callous when they fire people. That doesn’t excuse things but that’s often how it goes. Additionally, given what a bombastic, big mouth Ralph was on his show, it’s not hard to imagine that he was a real pain in the ass for management and actually deserved to be kicked to the curb the way that he was. I don’t know what actually went on between… Read more »

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And ..that’s what KNBR accepted for 28 years..like a marriage,Ralph changed to fit what worked best for himself and his employer. Hey,I know people think I’m a Ralph fan..I’m not. I rarely listened to KNBR by then. I’m not a fan..and I don’t hate him either. If anything..how ironic that two years ago Ralpj said on air KNBR went to court to find out about a internet poster who wrote “scurrilous” things about them. Yep,that would be me. And what was I posting? Among others,a leading topic of mine was how discriminatory KNBR is (ya noticed ?). Now,here we are… Read more »

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..and I would (still) give it good to Lee Hammer. Ralph,as I say,now see’s things my way.

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As long as Thom is keeping this post going… That KNBR spent big bucks and invaded my privacy,finding nothing other then I was right..might make me a little bit more knowledgeable about that rotten big brother company.
Bring it on.

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Barbieri would have been pissed no matter how knbr let him go. the only mistake knbr made was waiting too long to do it. anybody listen to tom’s interview with harbaugh?

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If they fire Ralph for being hot-headed and abrasive, why are they not firing Rick Barry? Barry is the Nancy Grace of sports radio.

And, what happened to Lee Hammer? He always used to talk about KNBR as a “family.” Is this how you treat sick family members Lee?

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I was please to hear they finally released him. . I am back to listening to KNBR. What an exaggerated Ego-centric asshole. May his legal “battle” cost him big time. He ruined sports for me and many others.
Good riddance.

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Ralph is a JackA….so un-professional—-I have seen him take his son into the locker room at the Warriors, taking stuff from the players…..very wrong in any circles
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out Ralph, you like all the time
byebye

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In my opinion Ralph at one time was top dog at KNBR even though Gary has always been my favorite. I used to really enjoy Ralph but lost respect for him over the past couple years because he made some major assumptions and statements that were simply idiotic while on-air. For example, in regards to Lincecum’s temporary velocity drop in August of 2010 and later with his relentless disparaging remarks about Alex Smith prior to the 2011 season. Anyone in the know should realize pitching is not only about velocity. And any real football fan should have realized football is… Read more »

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For myself I had enough of Ralph the last few years, I welcomed the change. However with that said he still entertained me for 20 freaking years!!!! Overall I really enjoyed listening to him. It was a love hate relationship but if I ever met him I would warmly greet him and definetly shake his hand . I have no issue with KNBR letting Ralph go but the way they did was just wrong! I think this is a situation where KNBR failed miserably and they lost a lot of my respect. Sure it was moreless legal but come on,… Read more »

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Ralph took some getting used to , but over the years I enjoyed his show probably daily, and I’m a Raiders and A’s fan, not usually favorite topics on KNBR. His aserbic tone and take on things was usually interesting to listen to even if I disagreed with him. When Tolbert first came on board I thought, I can’t take this new guy especially when he’s hosting alone, but the more I listened the more I started liking the duo. They were really good together and eventually I would not mind, even enjoy Tom by himself, but the show was… Read more »

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I was not a Ralph Barbieri fan on the whole; however I did really like his interviews. I considered the interviews to be unique in their tough straight up queries that no one else in the Bay would be willing to risk. Sadly though, I don’t think a law suit is a good idea. Ralph was done wrong, however employment in his industry has to be an ‘at will’ situation. It’s not difficult to make a case to fire any broadcaster at any time due to the fickle attributes of the audience and the scared, ruthless and fickle nature of… Read more »

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I don’t care for Ralph’s pompass style-and he was too much of a homer for me. He was so fake when he pretended like hockey! When the Sharks began to play here he was totally disrespectful and basically refered to them as a non-sport. I’m not even a big hockey fan but I knew that had to turn a lot of people off. I think this station did terrible job of dismissing him. But I’m guessing they decided not to wait to not renew his next contract because he probably had done something in his “Razor” fashion to piss management… Read more »

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If Knbr was worried about 95.7 before they did not do themselves a favor with ray ratto etc in that spot. I left knbr almost immediately to 95.7. Tommy T is not the same w/o Ralph. How can I communicate with Ralph. I love the guy!!

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If Knbr was worried about 95.7 before they did not do themselves a favor with ray ratto etc in that spot. I left knbr almost immediately to 95.7. Tommy T is not the same w/o Ralph. How can I communicate with Ralph. I love the guy!!

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[8230 ;] Ralph already told 8220 ;his side of the story8221 ; to Dennis O8217 ;Donnell, but there are still plenty of questions Brandon Tierney and Eric Davis can ask. [8230 ;]

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